SAN FRANCISCO — Three women accused of defrauding elderly Chinese of their jewelry using a "ghost scam" have been ordered to stand trial, San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon said Friday.

Huifei Lin, 42, Caiqiong Chen, 43, and Lirong Lin, 57, were arrested and charged on May 15 in connection with a series of scams in which elderly Chinese women were approached and told that they were plagued by evil spirits, and that their families were in danger, according to prosecutors.

The victims would be told to bring all their jewelry and money to a meeting, where they would be put in a bag for a "purification ceremony." The items in the bag would be replaced when the defendants weren't looking.

The three women allegedly stole more than $100,000 in cash and jewelry from five victims.

The victims would be told to bring all their jewelry and money to a meeting, where they would be put in a bag for a "purification ceremony." The items in the bag would be replaced when the defendants weren't looking.